Category: Entertainment

The curtain fell on the 2025/26 Premier League season with a dramatic final day that decided the European fate of several clubs. While Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa had already secured their spots in the Champions League before Sunday’s matches, the day’s results completed the European qualification picture.

Liverpool clinched the fifth and final Champions League berth despite a 1-1 draw at home against Brentford. The Reds’ point was enough to edge out rivals and confirm their place among Europe’s elite.

Bournemouth’s hopes of a top-five finish were dashed as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. The Cherries narrowly missed out on Champions League football but will instead compete in the Europa League.

Sunderland also booked their Europa League ticket with a gritty 2-1 victory over a Chelsea side reduced to ten men at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats’ win secured their return to European competition after a lengthy absence.

Brighton & Hove Albion claimed the final European spot—a place in the Europa Conference League—despite suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Their prior performances ensured they finished high enough to qualify for the third-tier competition.

Enugu Rangers have etched their name in Nigerian football history once again, clinching the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) championship for the ninth time following a thrilling 2-1 win over Ikorodu City at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Sunday. The triumph solidifies their status as one of the league’s most decorated clubs, adding another prestigious trophy to their cabinet.

Under the astute guidance of coach Fidelis Ilechukwu, the Flying Antelopes showed intent from the outset, pressing high and dominating possession. Their persistence paid off on the half-hour mark when Chidiebere Nwobodo found the back of the net, giving the visitors a deserved lead. Nwobodo struck again just ten minutes into the second half, doubling the advantage and putting Rangers firmly in control of the encounter.

Ikorodu City, who needed a victory to bolster their hopes of qualifying for continental competitions, refused to capitulate. Moses Ali reduced the deficit two minutes before the hour mark, setting up a tense finale. However, Rangers held firm defensively, ensuring the scoreline remained in their favor as the final whistle blew.

Elsewhere, Rivers United finished as runners-up after a comprehensive 3-0 home win against Katsina United at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt. Chijioke Mbaoma netted twice, while Aniekeme Okon added the third to cap off an impressive performance.

Manchester United’s skipper, Bruno Fernandes, has etched his name into the Premier League record books by claiming the outright record for the most assists in a single season. The Portuguese playmaker achieved this milestone during a commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton on the campaign’s final day.

The record-breaking moment came from a corner kick, which was powerfully headed home by Patrick Dorgu to put United in front. This assist, his 21st of the term, pushed him past the previous benchmark of 20 shared by Arsenal’s Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).

Fernandes had already equaled that record the previous weekend when he set up Bryan Mbeumo in a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest. His remarkable consistency throughout the season has now earned him both the Premier League Player of the Season award and the FWA Footballer of the Year honor.

Media personality and content creator Amarachi Amusi, better known as Ashmusy, has shared why she feels no urgency to marry at 30. She revealed that having her eggs frozen gives her peace of mind about her dream of motherhood.

In a candid interview on the Echo Room podcast, Ashmusy admitted she once nearly married a man she knew wasn’t right for her. She attributed this near-mistake to societal pressure and the so-called biological clock. ‘I wanted to get married, but I am not desperate. I have already secured my future as a mother, should the right partner not show up,’ she explained.

She elaborated that many women rush into early marriages because of the biological clock myth, which often leads to unhappy unions. ‘I almost fell into that trap. I knew he wasn’t my ideal husband, but he was ready, and I was anxious to have a child before 35. Now, I don’t have to make that mistake because my eggs are frozen. Within the next 3 to 10 years, I can undergo insemination and have my mixed-race child,’ Ashmusy added.

The Nationwide League One (NLO) has imposed sanctions on Peace FC after the club was found guilty of using ineligible players and submitting fraudulent registration documents. The disciplinary committee determined that the club breached league regulations during routine checks performed by the NLO Secretariat.

The investigation revealed that three players — Abasim Henry and Ekwo Stanley, both from Solution FC, and Mbakaogu Chibuike of EDEL FC — were fielded by Peace FC despite being under contract with Nigeria National League clubs until 2026 and 2027. This constituted a clear violation of the league’s eligibility rules.

As a result, Peace FC has been ordered to forfeit all matches in which these ineligible players participated. Opposing teams will be credited with three points and a 3-0 win, or a higher scoreline if applicable. In addition, the club faces a fine of 500,000 naira, which must be paid within seven days.

Furthermore, Peace FC has been suspended from all NLO competitions for the remainder of the 2025-26 season and placed on probation for two seasons. The ruling takes immediate effect, though the club has 72 hours from receipt of the decision to appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation Appeals Committee, in accordance with established NLO procedures.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, delivered a commanding performance against Guinea in the first leg of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. The match, held in Abidjan on Saturday, ended with a resounding 5-0 victory for the visitors.

Team captain Harmony Chidi was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick that put the Flamingos in a dominant position. The scoring began early, with Chidi finding the back of the net in the very first minute. She doubled the lead just 12 minutes later, showcasing her clinical finishing.

Oluwakemi Adegbuyi added the third goal in the 37th minute, and Chidi completed her hat-trick five minutes before halftime. The relentless attack continued into the second half, with Mary Dunstan scoring the fifth goal in the 56th minute to seal the emphatic win.

The return leg is scheduled for next Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, where the Flamingos will look to secure their place in the next round.

Former England international Michael Owen has identified the only two Premier League sides capable of mounting a serious title challenge against Arsenal in the upcoming campaign. The Gunners have already secured this season’s championship and will face Crystal Palace in their final match on Sunday.

Speaking to Metro UK, Owen stated: “I believe Arsenal’s toughest competition next season will come exclusively from Manchester.” He elaborated that Manchester City will remain formidable even if manager Pep Guardiola departs, noting they pushed Arsenal closely this term and clinched two domestic cups. “They’ll return even stronger,” Owen added.

The ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid star also tipped Manchester United as a genuine contender under Michael Carrick. “Look at their form since Carrick took over—they’re definitely in the title conversation,” Owen said. However, he dismissed Liverpool’s chances for now, concluding: “Liverpool aren’t quite there yet.”

Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has fired a warning to Jose Mourinho regarding a potential move for winger Michael Olise. Hoeness made it clear that the French international is not for sale, even if Mourinho keeps a close watch on him.

Mourinho, who is set to take over as Real Madrid’s head coach, has been linked with a big-name signing to bolster his attacking options alongside Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Speculation grew after Mourinho was spotted attending the DFB Pokal final between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart on Saturday night.

When questioned about Mourinho’s interest in Olise, Hoeness responded firmly: “Jose Mourinho is in the stadium tonight to keep an eye on Michael Olise for Real Madrid? He can keep five eyes on him, he still won’t get him.”

The statement, relayed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, leaves no doubt that Bayern Munich has no intention of parting with the talented winger. Olise has been a key performer for the Bavarians, and the club values him highly.

Manchester City have kicked off negotiations to secure the services of Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the aim of bolstering the squad for their incoming manager Enzo Maresca. According to reports from Sky Germany, the Premier League champions have identified the Argentine World Cup winner as their top summer transfer target.

Initial discussions have already taken place behind closed doors, and Maresca—who is set to replace Pep Guardiola at the helm—is said to be particularly eager to reunite with Fernandez. The Italian tactician previously worked with the midfielder during his stint at Chelsea, where they developed a strong working relationship.

Fernandez’s future at Stamford Bridge has been in doubt ever since he publicly criticized the club’s handling of Maresca’s departure earlier this year. The 25-year-old also fueled speculation about a move to Real Madrid during a recent international break, which resulted in a two-game suspension handed down by Chelsea.

The Blues’ failure to qualify for the Champions League—following their exit two months ago—further heightened Fernandez’s uncertainty about staying in London. Now, with City making the first move, a potential transfer could materialize quickly.

Maresca is expected to sign a three-year deal with Manchester City, and the acquisition of Fernandez would represent a major statement of intent as the club transitions to a new era.

Chelsea icon John Terry has shared his forecasts for the concluding matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season, which are scheduled for Sunday. After Arsenal secured the title on Tuesday following Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, Mikel Arteta’s squad are set to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their last league outing. In a TikTok video, Terry predicted a 1-1 stalemate between the Gunners and Palace.

Terry’s other scoreline projections include Manchester City defeating Aston Villa 2-0, Brighton overcoming Manchester United 2-1, and Fulham losing 1-2 to Newcastle United. He also foresees Tottenham Hotspur falling 1-3 to Everton, Liverpool succumbing 1-2 to Brentford, and a 1-1 draw between Burnley and Wolves. Additionally, Terry anticipates Nottingham Forest losing 1-2 to Bournemouth, West Ham United beating Leeds United 2-1, and Sunderland suffering a 0-2 defeat to Chelsea.